U.S. patent number 4,973,212 [Application Number 07/334,711] was granted by the patent office on 1990-11-27 for snap-in fastener.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Applied Power Inc.. Invention is credited to David Jacobs.
United States Patent |
4,973,212 |
Jacobs |
November 27, 1990 |
Snap-in fastener
Abstract
A snap-in type fastener for securing an object to an apertured
support includes a shank member having predetermined diameter and
length. A locking member integral with one end of the shank member
is provided to extend through the support aperture to facilitate
engaging of the apertured support by the shank whereby the locking
member resists withdrawal of the fastener from the apertured
support. A head member is disposed at the other end of the shank
member and includes a resilient member which provides for axial
deflection of the shank for a selected distance in the direction of
the apertured support to facilitate engaging of apertured supports
of different thicknesses. The resilient member may form all or a
portion of the head member depending upon the method of securing or
may be associated with the head member.
Inventors: |
Jacobs; David (Arlington,
MA) |
Assignee: |
Applied Power Inc. (Milwaukee,
WI)
|
Family
ID: |
23308471 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/334,711 |
Filed: |
April 6, 1989 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
411/508; 24/297;
24/453; 411/913 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16B
5/0642 (20130101); F16B 5/065 (20130101); F16B
21/086 (20130101); F16B 43/00 (20130101); Y10S
411/913 (20130101); Y10T 24/309 (20150115); Y10T
24/42 (20150115) |
Current International
Class: |
F16B
5/06 (20060101); F16B 21/08 (20060101); F16B
21/00 (20060101); F16B 43/00 (20060101); F16B
019/00 (); A41F 001/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;411/508-510,913,149-154,542 ;267/161,166,168 ;24/297 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1254784 |
|
Jan 1961 |
|
FR |
|
1146796 |
|
Mar 1969 |
|
GB |
|
Primary Examiner: Wilson; Neill R.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Gordon; Edward A.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A one piece snap-in type fastener for securing
an object to an apertured support comprising:
a shank having a predetermined diameter and length;
a locking means integral with one end of the shank and
adaptable to extend through the support aperture to facilitate
engaging of the apertured support by said shank, said locking means
resisting withdrawal of the fastener from the apertured
support;
a head disposed at the other end of the shank;
said head including:
a resilient flexible annular member disposed about the periphery of
said other end of the shank and having a predetermined diameter and
thickness; and
a rigid member disposed about the periphery of the resilient
flexible annular member having a lower surface for engaging a
portion of one side of the object to be secured to the apertured
support;
said resilient annular member having a width providing for axial
deflection of the shank for a selected distance in the direction of
the apertured support to facilitate engaging of apertured supports
of different thicknesses.
2. The snap-in type fastener according to claim 1 wherein said
locking means comprises at least a pair of shoulder means which are
axially spaced from each other and have an increasing diameter
relative to the diameter of the support aperture; said shoulder
means being laterally and inwardly yieldable to facilitate locking
engagement with the apertured support.
3. The snap-in type fastener according to claim 1 wherein said
resilient means is formed of a material selected from the group
consisting of synthetic and natural elastomers.
4. The snap-in type fastener according to claim 1 wherein said
shank and locking means are formed of a resilient plastic
material.
5. The snap-in type fastener according to claim 1, wherein said
shank and locking means are formed of a metal material.
6. The snap-in fastener according to claim 1 wherein said locking
means comprises at least two shoulder members tapering from a
trailing surface adjacent the shank to a smaller dimensioned
leading surface forming the entering end of said locking means;
said shoulder means being laterally yieldable to facilitate locking
engagement with the apertured support.
7. The snap-in fastener according to claim 6 wherein the trailing
surface is substantially perpendicular to the shank.
8. The snap-in fastener according to claim 6 wherein the trailing
surface is curved to the shank to thereby accommodate minor
variances in the thickness of the apertured support.
9. The snap-in type fastener according to claim 1 wherein the
selected distance provided by the axial deflection of the resilient
annular member is a value of at least 50% of the radial thickness
of the resilient annular member.
10. The snap-in fastener according to claim 1 wherein the rigid
member disposed about the periphery of the resilient flexible
annular member comprises an object to be secured to an apertured
support.
11. A snap-in type fastener for securing an object to an apertured
support comprising:
a shank member having a predetermined diameter and length;
a locking means integral with one end of the shank member and
adaptable to enter through the support aperture to facilitate
engaging of the apertured support by said shank member, said
locking means resisting withdrawal of the fastener from the
apertured support;
a head member attached at the other end of the shank member;
said head member having a lower surface for engaging one side of
the object to be secured to an apertures support; and
a resilient compressible means comprising a plurality of columns
each having one end attached to the lower surface of the head
member whereby the resilient compressible means is positioned
between said lower surface of the head member and the one side of
the object when securing the object to an apertured support;
said resilient compressible means providing for axial movement of
the shank portion for a selected distance in the direction of the
apertured support to facilitate engaging of apertured supports of
different thicknesses.
12. The snap-in type fastener according to claim 11 wherein the
resilient compressible means is formed of an elastomeric
material.
13. The snap-in type fastener according to claim 11 wherein the
resilient compressible means is formed of a metal material.
14. The snap-in type fastener according to claim 11 wherein the
resilient compressible means is a spring means.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field Of The Invention
The present invention relates to fastening devices and more
particularly to a snap-in type fastening device which is adaptable
to accommodate workpieces or support structures of different
thicknesses.
2. Description Of Prior Art
Snap-in type fasteners have heretofore been employed wherein a
one-piece molded structure includes a head, a shank, and an
entering extremity formed with laterally yeildable shoulders to
permit telescopic association of the one-piece fastener with an
apertured work-piece. Obviously, the axial spacing of the shoulder
with respect to the work engaging side of the head is predetermined
to accommodate a workpiece of corresponding predetermined
thickness. To provide, as by molding, a similar fastener for a
workpiece of different thickness necessitates the provision of a
separate die in which the cavity details for the head, shank
length, and entering extremity of the resulting fastener must be
incorporated. It has been found, for example, that overthickness of
a workpiece such as a panel may result from the presence of a burr,
paint, plating, etc. Under such circumstances, it may be impossible
to employ the one-piece fastener which was originally designed for
a given workpiece thickness. To inventory a supply of one-piece
type fasteners to accommodate workthickness variations of the type
just referred to would be most impractical and exceedingly
costly.
In some prior art fasteners the configuration of the fastener
accommodates minor variances in material thickness but with a
resultant reduction in holding power.
Various prior art fasteners have been proposed, but many of them
suffer from such disadvantages in that they comprise a multiplicity
of parts which makes them complicated to use and/or their
construction complicates their manufacture and also increases their
cost.
Exemplary of the state of the art are the following U.S. Pat. Nos.
2,181,966; and 3,665,800.
While the various prior art devices have provided improvements in
the areas intended, there still exists a great need for a snap-in
fastener adapted to accommodate workpieces of different thicknesses
and which is characterized by being simple in use and economical in
manufacture.
Accordingly, a principal desirable object of the present invention
is to provide a new and improved snap-in fastener having the
foregoing characteristics.
Another desirable object of the present invention is to provide a
fastener having an essentially one-piece structure which includes a
shank, a head member having at least a portion associated with a
resiliently deformable member disposed at one end of the shank, the
other end having a structured extremity for association with an
apertured support structure.
A still further desirable object of the present invention is to
provide a fastener having a simplified structure which includes a
shank, a head member disposed at one end of the shank member, a
resiliently deformable member associated with the shank member, and
the other end of the shank having a structured extremity for
association with an apertured structure.
A still further desirable object of the present invention is to
provide a novel and practical snap-in fastener of the type referred
to above, wherein workpieces of different thicknesses may be
accommodated by the simple expediency of deflecting a resilient
member associated with the head or shank of the fastener.
These and other objects of the invention will in part appear
hereinafter and will in part become apparent after consideration of
the specification with reference to the accompanying drawings and
the claims.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A snap-in type fastening device for securing an object to an
apertured support or workpiece is specifically constructed and
configured so that it is readily adjustable to accommodate
apertured supports of different thicknesses. This is accomplished
by providing a fastening device having a shank means having a
predetermined length capable of extending in a support structure
with an aperture extending across the axis of the shank means. A
head means is provided at one end of the shank and a locking means
at the other end of the shank means. The locking means is
preferably integral with the shank means and facilitates engaging
the apertured support by the shank means whereby the locking means
resists withdrawal of the fastener from the apertured support when
the shank has been inserted into the support aperture. A resilient
means is associated with the head member or the shank means and
provides for axial deflection of the fastener for a selected
distance in the direction of the apertured support to facilitate
engaging of apertured supports of different thicknesses.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)
For a fuller understanding of the nature and desired objects of the
invention, reference should be had to the following detailed
description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings
wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts
throughout the several views and wherein:
FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a fastener embodying
the principals of the present invention attached to a panel
structure and juxtaposed to an apertured support to which the panel
is to be fastened;
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of a
fastener embodying the principals of the present invention showing
the fastener mounted in a slot in a panel and fastening the panel
to an apertured support;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional fragmentary side plan view showing a
fastener of the type illustrated in FIG. 1 in a normal position
mounted in an aperture in a panel and fastening that to an
apertured support of a given thickness;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional fragmentary side plan view showing the
fastener of FIG. 3 in a deflected position mounted in the same
panel as FIG. 3 but fastening that panel to a different apertured
support structure having a greater thickness than the support of
FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional fragmentary side plan view of a prior
art fastener;
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional fragmentary side plan view of an
alternate embodiment of a fastener incorporating features of the
present invention and showing the fastener mounted in a slot in a
panel and fastening that panel to a support;
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional fragmentary side plan view showing the
fastener of FIG. 6 in a deflected position mounted in the same
panel as FIG. 6 but fastening that panel to a different apertured
support structure having a greater thickness than the support of
FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of the resilient member of
FIGS. 6 and 7;
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional fragmentary side plan view of an
alternate embodiment of a fastener incorporating features of the
present invention and showing the fastener mounted in a slot in a
panel and fastening that panel to a support;
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional fragmentary side plan view showing the
fastener of FIG. 9 in a deflected position mounted in the same
panel as FIG. 9 but fastening that panel to a different apertured
support structure having a greater thickness than the support of
FIG. 9; and
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional fragmentary side plan view of an
alternate embodiment of a fastener incorporating features of the
present invention and showing the fastener mounted in a slot in a
panel and fastening that panel to a support.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
Before describing the present invention in detail, it is to be
understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is
for the purpose of description and not of limitation.
Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIG. 1,
there is shown one embodiment of the fastening device of the
present invention, generally designated by the numeral 10, in the
form of a one piece snap-in fastener. The fastener 10 includes a
substantiallY circular elongated shank portion 12 formed with a
predetermined diameter and length. A locking means generally
designated by the numeral 14 is formed as an integral part of one
end of the shank 12. As illustrated, the locking means 14 comprises
a pair of laterally yieldable shoulder means 16 and 18. The
shoulder means 16 and 18 are configured to have upper or trailing
edge portions 20a and 20b of greater diameter than the diameter of
the aperture 22 formed in the support 24 to facilitate engaging of
the apertured support 24 by the locking means 14 whereby the
shoulder means 16 and 18 resist withdrawal of the fastener 10 from
the apertured support 24 when the shank has been inserted into the
support aperture 22. The trailing edge portions taper rearwardly to
the shank portion 12 and forwardly to the leading edge portions 21a
and 21b which form the entering end of the locking means to the
aperture 22. The trailing edge portions 20a and 20b can form a
straight taper (not shown) or an arcuate or curved taper to the
shank 12 as illustrated in FIGS. 1-4. A resilient annular head
member 26 is disposed about the other end 28 of the shank 12 and is
preferably formed with a predetermined radial width and
predetermined thickness to match the diameter and thickness of the
aperture or hole 30 of the object structure 32. The object
structure 32 can be any type of object, such as a panel for
example, that is to be fastened to the support 24.
It is to be understood that while the fasteners of the present
invention are described with respect to a pair of shoulder means
for simplicity, the fasteners of the present invention contemplate
a fastener having more than two, such as, for example, four
shoulder sections.
Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown an alternate embodiment of
a fastener incorporating the principals of the present invention.
In this embodiment the fastener 10A is the same as the fastener of
FIG. 1 except that instead of being attached to the structure 32,
the head member 26 of the fastener is attached to the hole or
aperture 34 of the rigid annular member 36. In this embodiment the
rigid annular member 36 and the resilient member 26 form the head
structure of the fastener 10A. In this manner the fastener 10A
serves to fasten the panel 32 to the support 24 by means of the
annular head members 26 and 36 and the locking means 14 comprising
shoulders 16 and 18.
Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 3 and 4, there are
illustrated the features of one embodiment of a fastener in
accordance with the present invention which permits axial
deflection of the fastener for a selected distance to facilitate
engaging of apertured structures of different thicknesses.
In FIG. 3 the fastener 10A, which is the same as fastener 10A of
FIG. 2, is mounted in the aperture 38 of structure 42 and fastens
that structure (through aperture 40) to support member 44 which has
a thickness T-1. As shown in FIG. 4, the resilient member 26 of the
fastener permits axial deflection of the fastener for a selected
distance T-2 in a direction of the apertured support member 46 (as
indicated by the arrow) to thereby engage (through aperture 47)
support member 46, which has a thickness of T-1 + T-2, without
adversely affecting the holding power of the fastener 10A. In this
manner the same fastener 10A is capable of fastening structure 42
to supports of different thicknesses without the need to change
fasteners.
In contrast, reference now being made more particularly to FIG. 5
of the drawing, there is illustrated the manner in which prior art
designs accommodate different support thicknesses. As shown the
fastener 48 is shown attached to a structure 50 and fastening
structure 50 to the support 52 which has a thickness P-1 and an
aperture 54 having an aperture diameter D-1. In order for the same
fastener 48 to engage the support 56 (as indicated by the dotted
lines 58) having an increased thickness P-2 over the thickness P-1,
it is necessary to provide an aperture 60 (shown by dotted line)
having a larger aperture diameter D-2. This results in a
disadvantage in that the aperture surface rim 62 contacts the
trailing edge surfaces 51 and 53 of shoulder means 64 and 66 at a
point higher up on the surfaces 51 and 53 of the shoulder as shown.
This manner of varying the thickness of the support member to be
fastened results in a reduction in the holding power of the
fastener. When the diameter D-2 of the support 52 remains the same
that is equal to D-1, the same disadvantage in reduction in holding
power results since the aperture edge 62 contacts the upper
trailing edges 51 and 53 higher up as shown and prevents the
shoulders 64 and 66 from expanding laterally outwardly to their
normal position.
Referring now to FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 of the drawing, there is shown an
alternate embodiment of the fastener of the present invention. As
illustrated, the fastener 68 is provided with a shank portion 70
and locking shoulder means 72 and 74. In this embodiment the
trailing edge surfaces 76 and 78 of shoulder members 72 and 74
respectively are substantially perpendicular to the outer surface
80 of the shank portion 70. The perpendicular configuration of the
trailing edges provides for a more positive locking action in that
the edge, for example, 82 of aperture 84 of support member 86 must
be positioned as shown and cannot be varied with different
thicknesses as discussed with respect to a tapered trailing edge
shown in FIG. 5. The fastener further includes a head portion 88
which comprises a rigid annular member secured to the shank portion
by threaded bolt means 90. Associated with the shank portion 70 is
a resilient annular member 92 which is in the form of a curved
washer (in the form of a bellevue curve, for example) having one
end surface 94 shown as positioned adjacent the inner surface 96 of
head 88 and the other end surface 98 shown as positioned against
the surface 100 of structure 102. Referring now more particularly
to FIG. 7, it can be seen that the resilience of the annular member
92 permits the fastener to be deflected a selected distance in the
direction of the arrow to engage support member 104 having a
thickness C-2 which is greater than the thickness C-1 of support
member 86 of FIG. 6.
Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, there is illustrated an alternate
embodiment of the fastener of the present invention. In this
embodiment the head member 88 is provided with a compressible means
106 attached to the inner surface 108 of the head member 88. A
suitable compressible means includes resilient synthetic or natural
elastomeric materials. The compressible means can be attached as a
continuous annular member or as segmented members (as shown)
disposed about and attached to the head member by suitable
adhesives or bonding material. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the
compressibility of compressible means 106 permits the fastener to
be deflected a selected distance in the direction of the arrow to
engage support member 104 having a thickness C-2 which is greater
than thickness C-1 of support member 86 of FIG. 9.
Referring now to FIG. 11, there is illustrated another embodiment
of the fastener of the present invention. In this embodiment the
fastener 68 is the same in all respects as the fastener 68 of FIG.
9 except the compressible means 110 comprises a plurality of spring
means such as coil springs which can be attached to the inner
surface 108 of head member 88 by conventional means. In an
alternate embodiment the compressible means 110 can be in the form
of a helical spring (not shown) disposed in annular relationship
about the shank of the fastener 68 and loaded in compression and
mechanically captivated between the head member 88 and the
structure 102 similar to the resilient annular member 92 of FIG.
6.
In forming the fastener of the present invention any suitable tough
resilient plastic material such as, for example, nylon can be used
to form the shank and shoulder means. Other materials such as
metals and alloys can also be employed. In accordance with the
invention, the materials are formed so as to permit the locking
means or shoulder means to be resilient and laterally yieldable to
facilitate locking engagement with an apertured structure. The
resilient portion 26 which forms the head member as shown in FIG. 1
or a portion of the head member as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 can be
formed from any suitable tough resilient natural or synthetic
elastomeric material such as, for example, neoprene, polyurethane,
nitrile butadiene, vitron, vinyl, nytrel and natural rubbers.
In a preferred method, the fastener is essentially formed as a
unitary element by molding, utilizing a resilient plastic for the
shank and locking means and a resilient elastomeric material for
the resilient head portion. Where the head of the fastener includes
an annular metallic member, attachment to the resilient elastomer
portion can be accomplished with suitable conventional adhesive or
bonding materials. Similarly, when the resilient head 26 is to be
attached to an object structure such as 32 of FIG. 1, it can also
be attached by suitable conventional bonding or adhesive materials.
One of the main requirements of the elastomeric material employed
to form the head member is that it be capable of being flexed or
deflected as discussed herein.
Referring again to FIG. 4 for illustrative purposes a resilient
elastomer having a width W will provide a deflection distance of at
last W/2 or 50% of the elastomers radial width.
In installing the fastener, as shown in FIG. 2, for example, as the
fastener 10A is initially inserted into aperture 22 of support
member 24 the shoulder means 16 and 18, which together normally
define a circumferential area which is larger than the diameter of
the support aperture 22, will be forced laterally inwardly toward
each other until the outer surfaces of the shoulder means adjacent
the shank 12 engage the outer surface 23 of the support 24. Upon
clearing the aperture 22 the shoulder means 16 and 18 spring
radially outwardly to their normal position to thereby firmly
fasten or lock the panel 32 and support 24 in abutting
relation.
While the invention has been described with respect to preferred
embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that
changes and modifications may be made without departing from the
scope of the invention herein involved in its broader aspects.
Accordingly, it is intended that all matter contained in the above
description, or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be
interpreted as illustrative and not in limiting sense.
* * * * *